Ahead of Hong Kong Spartan Race – Sprint/Super 2018, set to be held on 10 November, fitness enthusiasts all over the SAR are keenly anticipating the return of this annual outdoor excursion, which sees participants from four- up to 64-year-olds running, crawling, dunking, climbing and generally getting themselves hugely mucky, while clearly enjoying the whole experience. As to why it has become such a popular phenomenon, who better to ask than Gary Wan and Charlz Ng, the two organisers of the Spartan Race?

What makes the Spartan Race quite so different from any other athletic event?

Well, to start with, there are at least 20 obstacles in each race – it’s probably the only occasion where people will have to jump into a pool full of mud. While most other marathons or running events focus solely on endurance, the Spartan Race treats strength as equally important.

Tell us more about the latest edition of this event…

This year, the races will take place at  the Kam Tin Country Club in Yuen Long, which is famous for offering one of Hong Kong’s most stunning and picturesque sunsets. We have also partnered with financial services company China Everbright, which is a good match for our environmental focus.

Who can participate?

The Adults Race is for runners aged 14 years and above, while the Kids Race accepts four- to 13-year-olds. There is no maximum age. In our last Spartan Race in April, we were happy to see more local racers than foreigners. At first, the race seemed like something out of Mission Impossible, but as more and more people have completed it, it has become an item on many New Year Resolution lists.

Thank you.

Text: Julienne C. Raboca